Seed to Blossom

Here I am. My last time in this very internet cafe. My last time in this town, in fact. My last time eating at TLT, our favorite Ugandan restaurant. It’s time to move on. Time to let go. Let go of the hands I’d been holding onto these past weeks in this now familiar country. 

Everything seems to be changing before my eyes! It’s as if I’ve seen a flower’s life cycle from seed to blossom. The puppies that were once small enough to be held two at a time in each of my hands now stretch to half the length of my forearm. The children that once showed an unconditional interest to the novelty of new muzungus (white people) merely say “Ha wah yoo?” (how are you)  as we pass to shake their hands. The uncertainties of being thrown into the mix of 11 strangers seemed to dissolve like salt in hot water. “What’s your favorite movie?”-type-questions have been replaced by “Why is this so hard?”-type-questions. Discomforts, like those that occur while squatting over a cock roach infested hole to pee, have become the norm. Oddly, it’s starting to feel like I’m leaving home again.

 

 

I’ve grown accustom to daily life here just as I had at home. More than being used to, I enjoy daily life here (for the most part…). I  enjoy being the first to wake up; even the sun is still sleeping. I turn my head lamp on to find a shirt to slip into,  pull my running shorts on, and grab my tennis shoes. I open the first creaking door–that of the small bedroom I’ve been sharing–and then the second. It takes a moment for my eyes to adjust to the still dark sky, so I sit on a step to take it all in. Purposefully, I take a while to tie my shoes, for this is the most peace I will have all day. I am determined to take advantage of it. 

 

Before the friendly dog sees that I am awake, I begin my morning run. As my pulse rises and more strides are taken, the fuzzy grayness of the pre-sun morning gradually starts to light up. Second by second, Africa comes to life. The rough terrain I am running on adopts a reddish color. The trees I am running underneath reveal the depth of their green manes. Before I know it, I’ve passed yesterday’s check mark and I find myself stopped by the beauty of Uganda’s sunrise. Though I could stand there forever, it’s time to head back. To “Pride Rock” (a very tall mound of large boulders right by our house that closely resembles Simba’s kingdom in “The Lion King”) I run, where I soak up the last bit of peace that I can-before the children spot and follow me.

 

Climbing those boulders, always a refreshing challenge, I  eventually reach the top. I can honestly say that this view never gets old. Turning 360 degrees multiple times is just as breath taking as it was yesterday. Green–with hues of pink, orange, and gold from the newborn sun–blankets the land of this small village. Amongst the maze of narrow trails and young crops, the hills are spotted with clusters of round mud huts topped with roofs of hay. Looking to the left, I see the mountain I climbed last week; it’s far, far off into the distance. To the right, I see four peaks-walls protecting this valley-dwelling-village. Behind me is the sun. The beautiful gold circle that signals to the natives that it is time to wake up. I see this effect as my momentary peace has ended.

 

Men and women shout at their children to hurry off to school while the more curious kids find me. They are world class climbers, for before I know it 2, 5, and soon 10 or more surround me as I sit on the zenith of their playground. Before the “Ha wah yoo’s” and giggles arrive, I leave. Down to have breakfast with my family before our next adventure swallows us.

 

This cerimonial way to my days is what gets me through the heart brakes of seeing the scars on the still smiling face of this country. This is the method to the madness that I’m sure I’m ready to say goodbye to. But the time has almost come to depart. Soon enough, I’ll be at the bottom of another cliff. My harness is Jesus, and though it’s enough, the first few foot placements are always the hardest.

 

This new seed shall also blossom.